Character in 'Maude Clare' by Christina Rossetti

Rossetti uses many techniques to tell us about the characters in 'Maude Clare', however I will be concentrating on some in more depth.

One thing that is used with great effect to present the character is speech. The dialogue between the characters can tells us a lot about them, for example the fact that the "son Thomas" only says one thing in the poem and he stutters etc shows us that he is weak in comparision with Maude Clare and Nell. For example he says "Lady" "- Maude Clare" and he then hides his face. This shows us he may have a guilty conscience and is ashamed of what he did. This could be interpreted to mean that he led Maude Clare on, or that he feels he has married the wrong woman. Maude Clare has the most speech in the poem, this shows us how powerful she is and how she is hijacking the attention from Nell even though it's her wedding day. This could influence our opinion of her and make us think of her as spiteful as she is purposely ruining someone's wedding day. To make it worse she is effectively telling everyone about an affair she had with Thomas. For example "That day we..." and "My half of golden chain" both suggest some former intimate relationship between the Maude Clare and Thomas, so this tells us about the relationships between some of the characters.
Through speech we also see that Maude Clare wants nothing more to do with Thomas, she says to Nell "I wash my hands thereof". This shows that Maude Clare has the upper hand in all ways. She is rejecting Thomas even though it looks like he initially rejected her, so she is taking the power back. This also shows her appeal to Nell to also defy Thomas and leave him and his "fickle heart" despite having just married him. The final character we learn of through dialogue is Nell. We see that although Maude Clare is dominating the attention, she is still a strong woman. She doesn't seem embarassed by the things that have been said she just moves on. She says she will stay with Thomas whatever, "For he's my lord for better or worse". This shows that she is willing to uphold him and that she is an amiable and resilient character. Finally the speech illustrates that Maude |Clare is still at the centre of everything, even when it looks like Nell has prevailed. For example although Nell has the last word, these last words are "Maude Clare" so it shows even Nell can't help but mention her name. So Rossetti reiterates that she is the main focus by leaving her name in our thoughts at the end.

Descriptions of the characters are also useful in learning about them in the poem. For example the comparison between Maude Clare and Nell shows us how there is a difference in status between them. Maude Clare is described as a "queen" and Nell a "village maid". She is obviously not as beautiful or as composed. This again illustrates Maude Clare's power as it shouldn't be this way, it's Nell's wedding day so she should be the centre of attention. The mere fact the title is 'Maude Clare' also tells is she is the focus.
The description of Thomas and Nell tells us how they feel about each other, for example Rossetti compares them. Thomas was "pale with inward strife And Nell was pale with pride". So basically Thomas isn't happy with marriage, perhaps as he has feelings for Maude Clare, whereas Nell is happy and pleased.

Finally it is obvious that the women characters hold the power in the poem. As I mentioned before we only hear a man speak once in the poem and he falters and looks weak. So the men are not seen to be important or to have any significant power. So Rossetti has switched the stereotype round so that the power is in the women's hands (perhaps because on a wedding day women are normally in control). It is also Nell and Maude Clare that are in conflict/discussion over everything, Thomas doesn't have any imput.